Club Management - March/April 2008 - (Page 21)

“The association has made such huge strides, and it’s really a matter of keeping the momentum going because the initiatives we have are so good for members.” Homberg’s grandfather, who worked in the industry for 25 years, and father, who managed a New York club for 47 years and gave Homberg a “knee’s-eye view” of club management, would have been proud to see their prodigy accept the nomination as CMAA’s new president. “Anyone who’s served in this position would tell you about the opportunity and honor that it is,” Homberg said. Homberg certainly worked for the honor, honing the skills he learned from generations before him and going above and beyond whenever possible. He initially graduated with an associate in applied science degree in hotel administration, which he followed 24 years later with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and then an executive MBA. He has worked at several prestigious clubs and has been the general manager/chief operating ofﬁcer at the Penn Club of New York for 11 years. He became a certiﬁed club manager in 1990 and has served in every leadership capacity with CMAA. But the biggest obstacles for this thirdgeneration club manager haven’t been in the form of club management or education issues, but with his health. Homberg was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2000 (successfully treated in 2001), and in 2005, he was diagnosed with bladder cancer (also successfully treated). “After facing something like that, you just gain a whole different appreciation for what life is worth and how we live it,” Homberg said. Homberg used those tough times as character builders. Rather than focus solely on his own plight, he became involved in the cause – and the cure. He is a member of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, proudly wears a yellow LIVESTRONG wrist band, and has participated in rides for the cure, including the Ride for the Roses in 2005 and the LIVESTRONG Challenge in 2007. Homberg embraces the foundation’s core message. “It’s all about teamwork,” he said. bers’ lives,” he said. “A city club primarily serves the business community, and you don’t ﬁ nd the member loyalty you had 40 years ago. “Resources and time are very scarce, and members are measuring how they’re going to commit to something – a luxury you probably could do without. City clubs are always scrambling to remain viable in members’ lives.” Demographic changes in the club industry also pose a challenge, something Homberg works diligently to overcome. The average member age at The Penn Club is 41. “We have tried to maintain a traditional clubhouse and educate young members,” Homberg said. “We make wine tastings more affordable to younger members. We provide programs and events to enhance their careers, such as how to get started in real estate. We operate on a club-within-a-club concept. Our activities are very network-driven, almost like a mentoring event, so young and old members get together and talk about a ﬁeld of interest.” Support Team When Homberg attended the International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show with a hotel industry friend a few years ago, the two ran into a group of club manager acquaintances. Someone mentioned a club manager who recently lost his job, and without hesitation, the group started discussing possible job opportunities to get that individual back on track. Homberg’s hotel industry friend was amazed that club managers are such a close-knit group. “This is such a wonderful and caring industry,” Homberg said. “I’ve made so many friends within this association, and that wouldn’t happen in a lot of associations. “Because I grew up in this industry, I thought that’s how the world ran.” That perspective has been passed down from father, to son, to a grandson who will leave a legacy on the profession as CMAA’s 76th president. ❚❘ MARCH/APRIL 2008 • 21 Linda Carroll, CCM, passes the president’s gavel to Peter Homberg, CCM, at the 81st World Conference on Club Management. Presidential Plans With several CMAA initiatives in place, such as an affiliation with the Golf Industry Show, the National Club Championship, and BMI, Homberg said he doesn’t have grand plans for major changes, but wants to ensure things keep going in the right direction. “This is the thing you agonize over the most as president,” he said. “The association has made such huge strides, and it’s really a matter of keeping the momentum going because the initiatives we have are so good for members.” Offering members a variety of timely educational topics is also important to Homberg. “Legislative developments are very important,” he said. “Sarbanes-Oxley, Form 990, the new auditing standards – that’s all crucial for club managers to know. Technology is another important area for continuing education. Our members are so involved with technology. It’s the way business is done now.” Member Challenges Managing a city club presents Homberg with a challenge facing many club managers today: member loyalty. “It’s a matter of trying to measure how applicable we can be as a priority in mem-

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Club Management - March/April 2008

Club Management - March/April 2008 Contents President’s Message Board Governance Technology Human & Professional Resources 2008 CMAA President Peter Homberg: A Profile in Courage, Perserverance Welcome, CMAA 2008 Board of Directors Club Events: Bring Magic to Your Members Club Adopts 'Dependent Parent' Membership Policy Paving a Path to Success Groundbreaking Project Measures Environmental Data for Golf Courses Paradise Preserved HFTP Insight New Directions Global Outreach Products and Services Marketplace Advertiser Index/Advertisers.com Club Wrap

Club Management - March/April 2008

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